Revenge porn penalties: Three-year jail terms part of new laws passed by Queensland Government

Queenslanders convicted of “revenge porn” could face lengthy jail terms after the State Government passed laws criminalising the non-consensual sharing of intimate photographs.

QUEENSLANDERS convicted of ‘revenge porn’ could face up to three years’ in jail after the State Government passed laws criminalising the non-consensual sharing of intimate photographs.

A maximum sentence of three years in prison and a hefty fine will be slapped on those who threaten or share intimate photographs.

Sharing intimate images without consent to become illegal in Queensland

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said victim blaming is not condoned under the new bill.

“We want offenders to know that this is more than unacceptable, it is a crime. We want victims to know that it is safe to come forward. They will not be blamed or shamed, they will be supported by the new laws,” Ms D’Ath said in parliament on Wednesday.

Two new offences will make it illegal to threaten and distribute intimate images without consent. Offenders will also give courts the power to make offenders delete and remove intimate photos under new rectification orders.

The bill’s consent definition refers to consent “freely and voluntarily given by a person with the cognitive capacity to give the consent.” Children under 16 can not give consent under the new laws.

Within four days pornographic pictures of Anna Richardson uploaded to a revenge porn website had 100,000 hits and multiple comments, most truly disgusting. Picture: Channel 4

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad compared distributing images without consent as a “gendered crime” and act of violence against women.

“We need to teach young men and boys that women’s bodies are their own. We need to teach everyone to respect women and to stop unacceptable behaviour as it presents itself and kids need to learn about consent from a young age,” she said.

Ms Trad said a staggering 23 per cent of Australians aged between 16 and 45 have been victims of intimate photo-sharing against their will.

Minister Shannon Fentiman said she hopes the new legislation will trigger more “dialogue” with young people who are most vulnerable.

“To educate young people on the long-lasting harms caused by this behaviour and to educate them on the criminality of this behaviour is absolutely paramount,” the ex Minister for Women said.

Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle said he was shocked 1 out of 5 Australians, in a RMIT survey, believe it is okay to share an intimate image without consent.

“What sort of society allows 20 per cent think it is okay to do that? What are we teaching and practicing from a young age up to adulthood to say it is okay to abuse a young girl or woman like that?” he said.

Mr McArdle said basic education of respect is key.

“If we educate children on the basic tenant of respect, we have a major advantage in illuminating this problem or reducing it as much as possible,” he said.

The bill also increases the maximum penalty from two to three years for those distributing prohibited visual recordings and making recordings in breach of privacy.